Student Blog: Top 8 Must-Try Restaurants in NYC

I'm all about using my meal swipes, but sometimes I mentally cannot eat dining hall food. It's repetitive, and I'm surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the world so I might as well indulge every once in a while. So here are my top 8 restaurants that you need to try at least once in New York City.

Pasta Lovers-142 W 49th St, New York, NY 10019

Seeing a Broadway show and want to go out to eat before? This is the place to go. Pasta Lovers, an Italian restaurant located in Times Square, has some of the best pasta in all of NYC. Don't worry, if you're not the biggest pasta fan, this restaurant has an extensive menu, so there is truly something for everyone. I went with my sister and we both got pasta, I got penne pesto chicken and she got fettuccine alfredo, and were stunned into silence by how amazing it was. The portions are also huge so you will definitely have leftovers to bring back to your dorm!

Meijin Ramen-1574 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

I discovered Meijin Ramen in 2018 and I have been a frequent customer ever since. With friendly staff and meals that are consistently divine, I go all the time. Meijin Ramen has a variety of food, so I am constantly trying new things on the menu because it all looks so good! Personally, my favorite items to order are miso soup, crispy rice spicy tuna, and spicy sesame chicken, and my friends always devour the poke bowls. If you are ever on the Upper East Side, you should stop by Meijin Ramen.

Bua Thai Ramen & Robata Grill- 1611 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028

This is probably my favorite restaurant of all time. Shoutout to my mom for finding it on TikTok! The vibes of this restaurant are immaculate, it's decorated with flowers to perfection. You can get fun cocktails or mocktails in a pineapple or coconut and have some amazing Thai food. The fried wonton is a stand-out on the menu for sure. My grandfather tried the sweet chili sauce that came with it and attempted to just buy a bottle of the sauce to bring home because it was so good! I would also argue that Bua Thai Ramen & Robata Grill has the best ramen I've ever had.

Gotham Pizza- many locations

This may be controversial but I think Gotham Pizza is the best NYC pizza chain. I have never had better buffalo chicken pizza. Maybe it's the ranch they add, because that's to die for. There is definitely cheaper pizza out there (99 cents pizza) but I will gladly spend the $5 for a slice of their buffalo chicken pizza.

Pier i Cafe - 500 W 70th St On the Hudson River in Riverside Park, New York, NY 10023

Ever tried frozen blueberry lemonade? No? Well, it's probably the best warm-weather drink created, and you can get it at the Pier i Cafe, which opens back up for the season in May. Ever since I tried their blueberry lemonade last spring, it has become a necessary item in my food palette. It is on the pier so you can dine and enjoy a great view of the water. It's a great casual dining spot to try with friends. One of my favorite hidden gems of NYC.

Levain Bakery - many locations

Of course I had to add a dessert location, and what better than Levain bakery. They have a multitude of bakery items, but are most known for their cookies. They have the best cookies..ever. Seriously, if you haven't tried one before, stop reading my blog and go get one. They are so good I once ordered a singular cookie on Uber Eats, which is crazy but hopefully my dedication to these cookies can convince you that they are amazing. If you're a cookie lover, add Levain to the bucket list.

Playa Bowls - many locations

The weather is getting nicer, so you know what that means... acai bowl season!!! To be fair, I drink smoothies all year round but now I can do it without turning into a popsicle. Playa bowls is one of my all time favorite acai bowl places, and it's not just in NYC! With a variety of pitaya, acai, coconut, kale, and banana blend bowls everyone can enjoy playa bowls! They're super refreshing and very filling. Perfect for a warm spring day!

La Lanterna di Vittorio - 129 MacDougal St, New York, NY 10012

I went here for the first time last week to celebrate my mom's birthday and oh. my. goodness. The atmosphere was amazing for dining, definitely a great place for a date, and there were a lot of options for outdoor seating. They have private greenhouses you can dine in that are so cute, very Instagram-able! I had pesto lasagna, which I didn't even know was a thing, and it was one of the best things I've ever eaten, my whole family would agree. The star of the night for me though were the Focaccia Crisps, I think I ate a whole basket. This is super convenient for NYU students (go violets!) because it's right next to Washington Square Park!

You should definitely get your money's worth and use your meal swipes, but also you should treat yourself! I would highly recommend any of the restaurants on this list, for a great meal out.